Women’s Intro to Backcountry Skiing Hut Clinic: March 1-4 2018 Opt 2

Course Details

Course is held from 8:00am-5:00pm daily. This course is for women only.

Dates: Thursday, March 1st – Sunday, March 4th, 2018

Cost: $799 Backcountry Clinic only w/o Ouray Lodging

Cost Includes:

3 days guided instruction with a Chicks IFMGA/AMGA Ski Guide and a Silverton Avalanche School Avalanche Instructor/Splitboard Instructor

2 nights lodging at the Mountain Belle Ski Hut

All Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners

Avalanche Safety gear (Transceiver, Shovel and Probe)

Chicks Welcome Bag from our Sponsors

Transportation to and from Red Mountain Pass

Small amount (10-15lbs) of personal equipment transported to and from hut via snowmobile

Not Included:

Lodging at Victorian Inn

Travel to and from the clinic start Ouray, Colorado

Personal ski equipment (AT skis, AT ski boots skins, and splitboards available for rent at a reasonable cost)

Personal protective outerwear, warm clothing

Personal or trip insurance

Gratuities

Location:Red Mountain Pass, CO (Ouray / Silverton Area)

Cancellation Policy: A $35.00 fee is charged for course date transfers. 60% of the course cost can be refunded up to 30 days prior to the course start. No refunds are provided for cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the start of the course for which you are registered. Unfortunately we cannot give refunds, rainchecks or cancellations if passes are closed.

Description

Join Chicks and the Silverton Avalanche School on Red Mountain Pass for our Intro to Backcountry Skiing and Riding Hut Clinic. We will spend two nights at the easily accessible Mountain Belle Hut. Under the guidance of an IFMGA/AMGA guide, PSIA and Avalanche Instructor you’ll learn the ups and downs of backcountry skiing in a setting that is perfect for anyone that can ski blue runs on-piste. You’ll gain a solid foundation of basic winter travel skills, safety and avalanche rescue fundamentals as well as tips and coaching to ski well in a variety of backcountry conditions.

This clinic is ideal for women who love to ski, are curious about venturing into the backcountry and want to get a feel for it in a supportive, fun environment. The Mountain Belle is a comfortable backcountry ski hut with great lighting and views, a wood burning stove, BBQ grill on the deck and all the essentials to kick back after a day out in the mountains. Your guides will prepare breakfasts and dinners giving you ample time to chill and enjoy each other’s company. Access to the hut is a moderate mile of skinning up a snow covered jeep road with breathtaking views. We use a snowmobile to tote in and out all the food, supplies and overnight equipment so your packs won’t be a burden.

The terrain we use is moderate but fun and includes both alpine slopes above treeline with open glades and moderate tree skiing below. There are no requirements for previous avalanche education for this clinic simply because we’ll avoid avalanche prone slopes. However, this area is one of the best classrooms anywhere to learn about avalanche safety with some of the most impressive avalanche paths in the country will be visible in the distance. For women interested in taking a Level 1 avalanche course this clinic is the the perfect warm-up. We’ll discuss how to find and interpret an avalanche forecast, the basics of using avalanche rescue equipment as well as how perform daily transceiver checks and carry out a basic companion rescue.

If you are in intermediate or even an expert skier or rider and curious about exploring the beauty and endless potential for untracked terrain, you’ll learn the skills on this clinic to help you do so. We’ll cover a wide range of topics including how a mountain snowpack forms, how to recognize and avoid avalanche terrain, navigating with a map and compass, decision-making and traveling in groups as well as how to manage clothing, temperature and equipment in winter conditions. We’ll teach you how to skin uphill, make an efficient skin track and set a pace that you can maintain for any length of time. You’ll also learn a number of different kick turns for the up, give you tips on how to conserve energy and make transitions from up to down more efficient. Backcountry conditions are typically variable and call for a wide range of tactics to ski or ride confidently and in control. You’ll come away from our clinic with tools to negotiate tricky conditions safely, both increasing your fun factor and reducing your risk of injury in the backcountry.

This course will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be more self-reliant in the backcountry and be a good companion on basic backcountry tours. Our goal is to help you become more confident so you can enjoy a day out in the backcountry and have the tools to recognize and avoid hazardous terrain. For those that take the time to go through these first steps and first tracks, the magic of the backcountry is accessible for a lifetime.

PREREQUISITE EXPERIENCE:

You should be an intermediate to expert skier or rider with that ability to ski blue runs on-piste confidently and in control. No previous backcountry experience is required. For those that would like to delve more into backcountry skills who already have a few days under their belts, this clinic will take your skills to the next level. Avalanche training or certification is not required for this entry level course.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE:

Day 1:

5:00 Welcome and Introductions. Meet your guides, other participants, discuss the clinic schedule, safety briefing, equipment check and demo gear check out. Tips on what you need to bring, how to pack your backpack, small bag of personal items for the snowmobile and what to wear for the skin into the hut. Q & A

Dinner together and packing for the trip.

Day 2:

Breakfast at the Victorian Inn

Van shuttle to RMP

Avalanche Rescue basics of transceiver functions and use and trailhead checks